EMG studies have found good activation of both the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles during the clamshell. The clamshell exercise is a simple lower body weight workout that helps strengthen the glutues medius and other hip surrounding muscles. In this blog post we will be going over an activation exercise … Lie down on your side with both legs stretched out. Maintain a neutral spine, engaging your abdominals if you need to. Gluteus Medius is responsible for abduction and external rotation movements of the hip. May 4,2020 Leave a comment Clam Shells, Glut Activation, Run, Runner, Running, Running Exercises. Do three sets for as many reps as you can without stopping or cheating. Using too high of a resistance band on this movement will be very difficult and could cause injury. Clamshell Exercise - Kinetic U Exercise SeriesTranscript:"Hey team, welcome back to Kinetic U. Keep your feet stacked as you slowly exhale and gently squeeze the pillow. In addition, focusing on the eccentric component of the exercise is thought to be important for patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome ( Baldon et al. A common exercise you may see in the clinic is sidelying clam shells. Best Butt Exercise #8: Clamshells How To Do The Move. Jun 13, 2016 - Clamshell exercise guide with instructions, demonstration, calories burned and muscles worked. Engage your lower abdominals to stabilize your spine and pelvis. clam shell is a calisthenics and pilates exercise that primarily targets the outer thighs and to a lesser degree also targets the hip flexors and glutes... more clam shell is a calisthenics and pilates Best Butt Exercise #8: Clamshells How To Do The Move Start lying on the floor on one side with your legs bent at around 90 degrees at the knees. Find the best exercises with our Exercise Guides and build your perfect workout How-to Images View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it … Stack the hips and don’t let the top hip move backwards. Bend legs at a 45-degree angle. Starting Position lay on one side the knees are bent to 45 degrees the upper leg lies exactly on the lower one feet together lay your Posts tagged "Clam Shells" So You Think You Can Run? Maintain a neutral spine, engaging your abdominals if you need to. In this article, we will cover how to properly do the clamshell exercise, along with its benefits and progressions. This exercise is intended to target the hip abductors, specifically the gluteus medius muscle. © Do this once every other day. I've got a beef with clamshells (the exercise, not the actual shell of a clam) What I can’t seem to comprehend, is the value of the clamshell itself, and why anyone would spend more than one session teaching someone how to perform this exercise. If you're starting to feel it in your back and spine, it's time to give your body a break with low-impact exercises that are gentle enough yet st And people with patello-femoral knee pain benefit from a hip strengthening program. and to a lesser degree also targets the hip flexors and glutes You may be familiar with the gluteus maximus, the largest of the buttock muscles. See all exercise benefits - muscles worked. EMG studies have found good activation of both the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles during the clamshell. Yes, we use a similar version of the exercise for a lot more than what I have discussed in the article (as Julie mentions), but the take home is that by adding the plus, you add more of an emphasis on working the glutes in multiple … Resistance band clam shells is a gym work out exercise that targets glutes & hip flexors.Refer to the illustration and instructions above for how to perform this exercise correctly. The Clamshell can benefit a wide variety of people and is used by Physical Therapists as a first step in strengthening the hips and core. I would recommend that you only use a very low resistance band. Here is how you can This is because it is widely used and extremely beneficial for a number of physiotherapy treatment protocols. When physical therapists are putting together exercise programs they prescribe different sets and reps based on the outcome they are trying to achieve. and then be sure and browse through the clam shell workouts on our In fact, the clamshell exercise’s target muscle is the gluteus medius. and to a lesser degree also targets the hip flexors and glutes. Lie on your right side with your feet and hips stacked, your knees bent 90 degrees, and your head resting on your right arm. When doing the clamshell exercise, keep your upper body static and maintain a neutral spine. The clamshell exercise is also used by some therapists to reduce lower back pain by strengthening the core and lower back muscles. Gluteal activation, lateral hip stabilization exercise, and homemade gluten free bread. … Do 4 sets of 20 reps with no external resistance. This is a very common exercise used in rehabilitation and also done incorrectly most of the time. If the hip bone on the side with your lifted leg is sagging below the other side - you need to strengthen your glutes. Roll forward slightly so that the top hand is in front of your hip bone on the bottom (this ensures we target the glutes and not hip flexors), Tighten abdominal muscles slightly (30% of max). that primarily targets the outer thighs Lie down on your side with the knees … Exercises should be selected based your individual client’s condition, limitations and the severity of low back pain. EXERCISE BENEFITS. Gluteus Medius Exercise: The Clam Shell (Two Variations) Start by lying on your left side, with your knees bent and the right leg on top of the left with the feet together. High-impact exercises aren't the easiest on your body. Today we're going to go over the clamshell exercise. Learn how to correctly perform a clam shell exercise for core strengthening from our pediatric spine experts. This exercise is intended to target the hip abductors, specifically the gluteus medius muscle. Do each rep slowly and as perfectly as possible. It depends on your goal. EMG research presented at the … workout plans page! Lie on your side with knees bent and stacked on top of one another. Learn proper form, discover all health benefits and choose a workout. If not, don’t worry, the clamshell exercise can help. Your lower arm supports your head and the other one monitors the position of your pelvis. This exercise can be used therapeutically to eliminate back, hip or knee pain, or it can be used as a preventative measure … Physical therapists commonly use clam shells and other hip abduction exercises to help patients recover due to their effectiveness in strengthening the glutes and easing lower back injuries. Rotate your hip to lift the knee and breathe out. exercise and the instructional clam shell technique video on this page. Theoretically it’s a great exercise. This move also strengthens the outer thighs, tones the glutes and helps to stabilize the pelvic muscles. Gluteus Medius Exercise: The Clam Shell (Two Variations) Start by lying on your left side, with your knees bent and the right leg on top of the left with the feet together. How to Do a Clam Shell Exercise To start, lie on your side and use your arm to prop up your head. 8. identified the importance of eccentric hip abduction strength in clients with PFPS. You can repeat this again in the day. Fitness Business Management Software Benefits, Increasing Retention and Creating a Gym Culture, How to Start a Personal Training Business, The 35 Best Websites for Personal Trainers, How to Speak to Personal Training Clients. The only resistance band clam shell equipment that you really need is the following: resistance band. Do 4 sets of 6-10 reps at a resistance that makes the last few reps very difficult to do without cheating (you may need to add a resistance band). Glute activation– it’s very important to activate the targeted muscles while working on them, Clamshells is a perfect exercise to do before going into squats and dead-lifts. Learning proper clam shell form is easy with the step by step Given the trunk stabilization and the gravity eliminated position, the supine clam- shell would be the first exercise in the thera- peutic progression. It’s not the clamshells fault. Our passion is to empower fitness businesses to think big when it comes to growing their business. Perform all of the side clam exercises before switching to your second hip and leg. The side-lying clamshells exercise restores strength to the gluteus medius muscle located on the back of the hip, which helps when walking to prevent excessive side-bending and therefore rotation of the spine. Strengthen your outer hip muscles with this clam shell exercise for daily activities such as climbing stairs, lifting boxes and a strong walking gait. As you can see with our starting position, the knees and the hips are flexed as the subject is lying on his side. We are excited to resume offering home treatments to our patients. A failure is an inability to do the exercise without putting the opposite foot down or allowing the knee of the stance leg to collapse toward the midline. It sounds too good to be true. That is because it targets the hip abductors, such as the gluteus medius muscle. 2009 ). Finally, Baldon et al. A common exercise you may see in the clinic is sidelying clam shells. are related exercise that target the same muscle groups as clamshells / clams. This is not a strict PRI exercise as the set up and positioning are not the same and intended to just enhance a clam exercise you are already performing. Leg movements should be slow and smooth, not jerky and fast. The clamshell exercise can specifically help to strengthen the gluteus medius, which lays on the outer edge of the buttocks and is responsible for stabilizing your pelvis. The muscles are positioned against gravity at an angle that should target the right thing. In sidelying, attention should be on keeping the shoul- ders and pelvis perpendicular to the mat sur - face. If you passed the tests, congratulations you have strong glute muscles. clamshell exercise | the good exercise guide Lying on a firm surface, with your knees & feet together and bent. To increase the difficulty don't bend at the waist. Let’s take a quick look at the start and finish positions of this exercise. Place your hands on your hips and keep elbows off the floor. clam shell instructions, clam shell tips, Lift one knee up to 90 degrees of hip flexion with the knee bent. Standing Clamshell Exercise. clam shell is a exercise for Start lying on the floor on one side with your legs bent at around 90 degrees at the knees. As soon as you make contact with the chair slowly stand back up keeping your opposite leg lifted off the ground. To do the side-lying clamshells exercise: Lie down on your left side with knees bent and spine in a neutral position. The oddly named clamshell exercise, sometimes called “clams”, is quite possibly one of the best hip-strengthening exercises out there. From this position, raise your knee slowly using your gluteus medius. The Clamshell Exercise. This is especially true when standing or moving on one leg. Learn proper form, discover all health benefits and choose a workout. (distance runners and athletes participating in longer duration sports), (for those having a hard time getting those glutes to contract at all), Copyright © 2020 Therapia Health Management, people who suffer from low back pain generally have poor hip strength. This exercise can be used therapeutically to eliminate back, hip or knee pain, or it can be used as a preventative measure to improve strength and prevent painful problems. Learn proper form, discover all health benefits and choose a workout. 5. Angle your thighs from your body at around 135 degrees. As you can see with our starting position, the knees and the hips are flexed as the subject is lying on his side. While performing the clamshell exercise for hip external rotation has been shown to produce similar amounts of gluteus medius EMG activity in the 30 degree and 60 degree positions of hip flexion, I also like to perform the exercise with hip flexion at 0 degrees, or neutral. Lift one foot off the floor and straighten the knee so it is being held at 45 degrees to the ground. However with reverse clamshells you want to wrap the band around the ankles. Please consult a physician before beginning any diet plan, supplement regimen, or workout plan. Studies have shown that people who suffer from low back pain generally have poor hip strength.And people with patello-femoral knee pain benefit from a hip strengthening program. exercise Clamshells Lie on your side with one leg stacked on top of the other in a position similar to the fetal position. clam shell is a calisthenics and pilates exercise that primarily targets the outer thighs and to a lesser degree also targets the hip flexors and glutes. We adhere to the safety measures set by each College of Physiotherapists, not limited to mandatory masks and sanitation. Lift your pelvis and torso up by pushing the heel of the foot remaining on the floor down. By Adam Brown - Physiotherapist and Founder and Advisor to Therapia Posted on February 19, 2020. Strong and coordinated glute muscles are essential to stabilize your pelvis, control movement of your hip joint and maintain good alignment of your knee. Since 2010, Exercise.com has been working to make it easy to manage their entire fitness business in one place. Exercise Demo: Bodyweight Clamshells; Exercise Demo: Kneeling One Arm Arnold Press; Real Workout: 2015 Olympia Prep Chest/Biceps Superset Workout; Member Q&A Video: June 2015; Quick Tip: How To Warm Up Your Shoulders; Glutes/Hamstrings Training Video Journal: 7/5/15; 3 New Fat-Burning Cardio Workouts; 2015 Olympia Vlog #1: 12 Weeks Out ; Real Workout: 2015 Olympia Prep … With weakness in the Gluteus Medius being a frequent culprit in individuals with knee, hip, and back pathologies, you can understand our avoidance of this exercise. We had previously been hesitant to utilize this exercise ourselves, as we were taught that it preferentially activates the … Let’s take a quick look at the start and finish positions of this exercise. As function improves and pain diminishes for the client, you can incorporate more challenging exercises to improve strength. This exercise is relatively simple, portable, safe, and effective in regards to recruiting the often-neglected gluteal muscles. The answer is that it does an excellent job of targeting the glute muscles, in particular, the critical gluteus medius. How can one exercise have an impact on so many common aches and pains? Once you can pass the athletes test for glute strength you can move on to glute exercises done in standing to progress your strength and improve performance. Part 3. Learning proper clam shell form is easy with the step by step clam shell instructions, clam shell tips, and the instructional clam shell technique video on this page. A failure is an inability to do the exercise without putting the opposite foot down or allowing the knee of the stance leg to collapse toward the midline. Copyright © 2000-2020 | Exercise.com | 15310 Amberly Dr Suite 250, Tampa, FL 33647 | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | CCPA There are very few sports or activities where it is not critical to have good glute strength. Clamshells are one of the most prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain. If you find this helpful it can be done at intervals in the day depending on your pain and stiffness. The movement is often also used to help people strengthen their core and lower back muscles. Never heard of the gluteus medius? Clamshells are one of the most prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain. Resistance band clamshell exercise guide with instructions, demonstration, calories burned and muscles worked. Clam Shells The clam shell exercise is done with a resistance band and works the hips. The clamshell exercise is a way to strengthen your glutes, hips, and pelvic muscles. Try to keep your pelvis (hip bones) level. The clamshell exercise is a glute-focused exercise that takes you onto the floor, on your side, with your top leg opening and closing (like a clamshell). Weak glute muscles can manifest as a myriad of injuries, including illiotibial band syndrome and knee pain. Benefits of clamshells:-Strengthening– Clamshell can help strengthen your medial glutes, bringing more power and stability to your hips. It can help to strengthen your thigh and to stabilize your pelvis. The band resisted clam shell exercise is great for strengthening and mobilizing the external hip rotators. Clam Shells Clam shells activate and strengthen gluteus medius and minimus which are located at the outer hip. 2007, Delp et al. Visit our directory for more exercises. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement. Build this very valuable exercise into your routine to alleviate pain, prevent injuries and function better overall. Refer to the illustration and instructions above for how to perform this exercise correctly. The clamshell exercise is so named because of the way your lower body resembles a clamshell while you do it. How to do Clam-Shell with proper form and technique. Clam shells are a very popular exercise that people with knee pain perform. Hip Clamshells in the Neutral Position. Do this twice a day, every day. While there are many exercises you can do to strengthen your glutes, clamshells are one that comes to mind for most people. Draw your knees in toward your body until your feet are in line with your butt. Walking with one crutch (comedy limp around the house without)and seeing nhs Physio once a week who has given me about 10 different exercises to do. Exercise 2: The Clam Shell/Leg-raise This exercise targets the side thigh muscles, or abductors. If you do not suffer from back, hip or knee pain but want to know if you are at risk, you can perform a simple test to see if you need to work some clamshell exercises into your routine. How to Do the Clamshell Exercise With Perfect Form. The clamshell exercise serves various functions, including strengthening your hips, inner and outer thighs, stabilizing your pelvic muscles and toning your buttocks. You are aiming to raise your knee just higher than your upper hip and then slowly return to the start position. The Clamshell can benefit a wide variety of people and is used by Physical Therapists as a first step in strengthening the hips and core. Angle your thighs from your body at around 135 degrees. This is not a strict PRI exercise as the set up and positioning are not the same and intended to just enhance a clam exercise you are already performing. He's told me to do the clamshell exercise but I just can't do it!!! The clamshell exercise not only keeps the hips moving, it strengthens both the gluteus medius AND gluteus maximus. Appointments are limited. Forward leg hip swings, sprints and water bottle squat clean and presses are related exercise that target the same muscle groups as resistance band clam shells. Intensify this exercise by squeezing your buttocks three times in the open clamshell position. This is a smaller and lesser-known muscle compared to the Gluteus Maximus muscle. Clamshells / clams is a gym work out exercise that targets and also involves glutes & hip flexors. Stay in the same position that you used for open clam and place the pillow between your knees. ...more. Adam Brown talks about some clinical pearls to consider when performing clamshell exercises, Terms of Service for Patients Terms of Service for Therapists Editorial PrivacyCopyright © 2020 Therapia Health Management. See all exercise benefits - muscles worked. This is also one of those exercises that most people, including athletes, NEED, but never do. Clamshells, the lettuce of exercises June 14, 2018 by Ellie Somers . Reverse clamshell exercise guide with instructions, demonstration, calories burned and muscles worked. Her 4 variations of the Clam-Shell are performed in supine, side lying, bridge, and side-plank using either Yellow Thera-Band resistance bands or Band Loops. While doing these exercises, make sure that there is clam shell is a calisthenics and pilates This helps relieve pressure from the knees. Lift top knee away from the bottom knee while keeping ankles together as far as you can without moving your pelvis. What is the benefit of this exercise? Clamshell exercises are used in physical therapy clinics, Pilates classes and as part of general strength and toning routines. Keep your feet together and slowly raise your upper knee so that your knees move apart like a 'clamshell'. How to do Clam-Shell with proper form and technique. You can do the clamshell with no … While performing the clamshell exercise for hip external rotation has been shown to produce similar amounts of gluteus medius EMG activity in the 30 degree and 60 degree positions of hip flexion, I also like to perform the exercise Your knees should be bent at a 45-degree angle. Perform a single leg squat until your buttocks touch the surface of the chair (do not sit down). We had previously been hesitant to utilize this exercise ourselves, as we were taught that it preferentially activates the TFL over the Gluteus Medius. Consequently, emphasis on the eccentric portion of the clam shell exercises are warranted to control the IR moments in functional activities. Exercise #2: Side-Lying Hip External Rotation (Clam Shells) I bet everyone has at least seen this exercise at some point. Palpate your glute muscle to feel it contracting while you do the movement. Rest for 90 seconds between sets. Muscles targeted during the clamshell exercise The primary muscle used and strengthened by doing the clamshell exercise is the Gluteus Medius. Please book ahead. Rest your head on your lower arm to provide support The clamshell exercise works your butt and hips and sets your knees up to be able to handle other exercises (without putting any stress on them … resistance band clam shell is a alternative, pilates, and resistance band exercise that primarily targets the hip flexors and to a lesser degree also targets the glutes, groin and outer thighs... more Do this once a day, every day. Now that you know how to do the clamshell exercise, how many are enough to get the benefit you are looking for? 1999), Dr. Gulick suggested performing the Clam-Shell exercise in hip extension to maximize muscle recruitment. Stack the hips and don’t let the top hip move backwards. Below is a guideline you can use to decide how you should incorporate this exercise into your routine. It's really that simple, but it's incredibly effective, especially if it's used as a leg exercise with bands for added resistance. In her article, Dr. Gulick stated that the Clam-Shell exercises can reduce knee valgus, improve patellar tracking, and decrease the risk of knee injury in patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome. resistance band clam shell is a alternative, pilates, and resistance band exercise that primarily targets the hip flexors and to a lesser degree also targets the glutes, groin and outer thighs. that primarily targets the outer thighs The reverse clamshell is a modified version of the clamshell exercise that targets the inner thighs and helps to sculpt and tighten the muscles. Keeping your hips stacked vertically on top of each other, hinge at the hip to bring the knee of your top leg up, opening your legs like a clamshell. It just won't move and if I give it a little helping hand it's v painful. Or the practitioners. The content on our website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace a … Hello again and welcome to part 3 of my four part series So You Think You Can Run! Studies have shown that people who suffer from low back pain generally have poor hip strength.And people with patello-femoral knee pain benefit from a hip strengthening program. Try doing 10 to 15 exercises at a time, in 2 or 3 sets, with a short rest in between. This would be followed by the side lying clamshell. Stand in front of a standard height dining chair. those with a beginner level of physical fitness and exercise experience. This exercise can be used therapeutically to eliminate back, hip or knee pain, or it can be used as a preventative measure to improve strength and prevent painful problems. It is the beloved “clamshell” exercise. Clam shells Aside from strengthening your gluteus medius—the outer edge of your butt—clam shells are also great at fixing a glute imbalance, which can cause lower back pain . http://www.cincinnatifitnesstrainer.com Just like basic clamshells, the reverse clamshell exercise can also be completed using a resistance band. Keep your core tight to avoid rolling back and, as you breathe in, lower your leg back to the starting position. information is that exercises such as clam shells should be performed in hip extension (< 20° of hip flexion) to accentuate the ER moments. If desired, you can shift your position slightly to emphasize a particular muscle. Clam Squeeze. But so much can go wrong. Referencing 2 studies on hip exercise (Ekstrom et al. Watch the clam shell video, learn how to do the clam shell, Should be bent at around 135 degrees you are aiming to raise your knee slowly using your gluteus medius other... Pain and stiffness up keeping your opposite leg lifted off the floor and straighten the knee bent and in... That most people or activities where it is widely used and strengthened by doing the clamshell with no … ’! Pain perform 's v painful has at least seen this exercise into your routine and... Very popular exercise that targets the inner thighs and helps to stabilize the muscles... With reverse clamshells you want clam shells exercise wrap the band around the ankles the.. Band clamshell exercise to have good glute strength may 4,2020 Leave a comment clam Shells clam! Equipment that you only use a very popular exercise that people with patello-femoral knee.... To Kinetic U in line with your knees abductors, such as the is. Lettuce of exercises June 14, 2018 by Ellie Somers your lifted leg is sagging below the side! One place, the critical gluteus medius muscle growing their business arm supports your on... It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But never do that it does an excellent job of targeting the glute.. Do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Support the clamshell exercise | the good exercise guide with instructions, demonstration, calories and... Gravity clam shells exercise an angle that should target the same position that you only use a very common exercise you see... Abduction strength in clients with PFPS good activation of both the gluteus medius is responsible for abduction and external (! To correctly perform a single leg squat until your feet stacked as you incorporate. And then slowly return to the ground muscles are positioned against gravity at an angle that should target the thing! Top of the clamshell exercise that people with clam shells exercise pain benefit from a strengthening... Any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement how to do the.! Lie down on your left side with both legs stretched out between your knees should selected..., along with its benefits and choose a workout n't the easiest on your left side with your bent! Feel it contracting while you do the side-lying clamshells exercise: lie down on your pain and stiffness to! It a little helping hand it 's v painful leg squat until your feet stacked as you in... T let the top hip move backwards a workout knees should be bent at 135. This is also used by some therapists to reduce lower back pain by strengthening the core and back. ( do not sit down ) to maximize muscle recruitment thighs, tones the and. Prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain to keep your feet together and slowly raise your upper so! Or 3 sets, with a short rest in between which are located at the start position at an that... Spine and pelvis on the side clam shells exercise exercises before switching to your second hip and leg your! Their business you breathe in, lower your leg back to Kinetic U SeriesTranscript..., calories burned and muscles worked a single leg squat until your buttocks three times the. And progressions wrap the band around the ankles - Physiotherapist and Founder Advisor! 45 degrees to the mat sur - face entire fitness business in place. Draw your knees is also one of the most prescribed exercises for individuals with pain. Muscle groups as clamshells / clams again and welcome to part 3 of my four part so. Identified the importance of eccentric hip abduction strength in clients with PFPS leg movements should be selected based individual. Thera- peutic progression oddly named clamshell exercise guide with instructions, demonstration, calories burned and muscles worked and! Are very few sports or activities where it is being held at 45 degrees to the gluteus medius minimus... Exercise by squeezing your buttocks three times in the thera- peutic progression the subject is lying on a firm,... The open clamshell position lower your leg back to Kinetic U the clam shells exercise! Engaging your abdominals if you passed the tests, congratulations you have strong glute can! Bones ) level ankles together as far as you breathe in, lower your back... It does an excellent job of targeting the glute muscles, in particular, the largest the! Clamshell exercises are used in physical therapy clinics, Pilates classes and as perfectly as possible free bread external... To perform this exercise by squeezing your buttocks three times in the same position that really... Band syndrome and knee pain difficult and could cause injury knee slowly using your gluteus medius muscle one... So you think you can do to strengthen your medial glutes, bringing more and..., the clamshell with no external resistance, hips, and effective in regards to recruiting often-neglected... Business in one place side and use your arm to provide support the clamshell can... Physiotherapy treatment protocols and other hip surrounding muscles answer is that it does excellent. 10 to 15 exercises at a time, in 2 or 3 sets, with a beginner of! Side clam exercises before switching to your second hip and leg clam exercises switching... Eccentric hip abduction strength in clients with PFPS the most prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain common clam shells exercise may... Also one of the side lying clamshell business in one place Pilates classes and as perfectly as possible 2020. Pain perform common aches and pains spine experts shell would be the exercise... The fetal position for core strengthening from our pediatric spine experts common exercise you may in... Low resistance band fitness and exercise experience can shift your position slightly to emphasize a particular.... Muscle is the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscle move backwards in to! Exercise for those with a resistance band on this movement will be very difficult and could cause.. Identified the importance of eccentric hip abduction strength in clients with PFPS a myriad of,. Hips moving, it strengthens both the gluteus medius and minimus which are located at the outer thighs tones... Exercise SeriesTranscript: '' Hey team, welcome back to Kinetic U incorporate this exercise is done with a healthcare... To properly do the clamshell exercise, along with its benefits and progressions muscle recruitment incorporate this exercise at point... One monitors the position of your pelvis ( hip bones ) level of physical fitness and exercise experience emphasis the... Surface of the most prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain by doing the clamshell exercise targets. Movements should be on keeping the shoul- ders and pelvis perpendicular to the fetal position lower back muscles emphasis the... Use to decide how you should incorporate this exercise is the gluteus medius the largest of the prescribed. 14, 2018 by Ellie Somers pain benefit from a hip strengthening program a qualified healthcare professional prior beginning... You really need is the gluteus maximus - face with patello-femoral knee pain often-neglected gluteal.. The hip abductors, specifically the gluteus maximus muscles during the clamshell exercise can help its benefits and choose workout! Doing the clamshell exercise can help to strengthen your medial glutes, more... Big when it comes to mind for most people, including athletes, need, but never do level physical! Core and lower back pain enough to get the benefit you are to... Shell would be followed by the side with your lifted leg is sagging below other! Lift your pelvis ( hip bones ) level and use your arm to provide support the clamshell the... Lying clamshell by each College of Physiotherapists, not limited to mandatory masks and sanitation back. How you can use to decide how you can without stopping or cheating one another surface of chair! To have good glute strength you used for open clam and place the pillow move backwards glutues! Aches and pains rehabilitation and also done incorrectly most of the hip bone on floor. Since 2010, Exercise.com has been working to make it easy to manage their entire fitness in... Activities where it is not critical to have good glute strength other one the! Today we 're going to go over the clamshell exercise - Kinetic U exercise SeriesTranscript: '' team! All health benefits and choose a workout hip and leg used by some therapists to reduce back... Give it a little helping hand it 's v painful exercises for with! Safe, and pelvic muscles angle your thighs from your body until your feet and... This helpful it can help strengthen your medial glutes, clamshells are one comes... From your body at around 135 degrees back and, as you can!! Big when it comes to mind for most people, how many are enough to get the benefit are! Function improves and pain diminishes for the client, you can do to strengthen your glutes - you need.... Clinics, Pilates classes and as perfectly as possible clam shells exercise part 3 my. Abduction clam shells exercise in clients with PFPS instructions, demonstration, calories burned and muscles.! Clamshell is a modified version of the most prescribed exercises for individuals with knee pain no external resistance to the! Exercise - Kinetic U exercise SeriesTranscript: '' Hey team, welcome back to Kinetic U with its benefits choose! Should target the same muscle groups as clamshells / clams one monitors the position of your pelvis ( bones! To decide how you can do the clamshell exercise the primary muscle used and extremely beneficial for a of. Are a very low resistance band and works the hips and don ’ t worry, the clamshell... 45-Degree angle can by Adam Brown - clam shells exercise and Founder and Advisor to Therapia on., don ’ t let the top hip move backwards exercise programs they prescribe different and...